Bible Discussion Thread

Good Afternoon/Everning (for some). May The Lord Jesus Christ be with y'all during this turbulent times.

I would like some insight if I may. I have been a Christian going on three years. And as of recently I read a book entitled Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray which changed my life and gave a lot of clarity on what I was doing wrong in regards with living a Christian life. I know that I am a child of God and I know my purpose in life is to be an instrument of his will and to be a light that shines in the darkness. I strongly have been convicted but in seeking him more I'm studying his Grace, Love and the Fruits of The Spirit. I know if i'm made perfect in love then I have peace and that peace that passeth all understanding is in my heart with Christ my Lord. When it comes to be unequally yoked with my spouse I understand that I am to be at peace with all men and if I am then I also have fruit as we'll. I am finding it very difficult to live with my family who are unequally yoked and still share the deeds of this world. It's very hard but if I understand the word that if his grace is sufficient for me then that's all I need and also to understand that true love and pure love casts out all fear. So why do I feel bad in participating with either watching TV with her or my kids, movies, family gatherings etc.... ? I ask the Lord to show me how to love like Jesus, Talk like Jesus, Walk like Jesus, but how do I converse with family members or even friends who are in spiritual darkness? I know it says that If I am light I should have no dealings with the darkness but how can I ever lead my family or friends to Christ if I am not willing to take time to be with them. I've learned when I am in these situations I keep praying in my head and it really helps. But I love my wife and I know that Gods sovereignty was that we be together but it's hard you know and it can be very very draining. Any advice. I want to serve my God first but also share the love of Jesus. TY

Arnold B.,

Thanks for sharing & trusting us with your heart-felt information. I myself for several years found many movies very awkward & surprisingly inappropriate especially within family/friend settings. That may have more to do with our spiritual convictions, exposing the hidden evils & persuasions deeply enbedded. Maybe try game nights instead. Trips to beaches, parks, waterfalls, nature themed. Places you can let GOD's creation declare HIS goodness, while you speak the WORD.

Deuteronomy 6:7, Ephesians, 5:26, 2 Corinthians 4:17

Jesus also corrected John 5:14

Praying for you to have clear direction, discernment, wisdom & perseverance, hope & encouragement. I also pray their hearts will turn from things, words, actions & attitudes that displease the LORD & disrespect your faith, instead to things, attitudes, actions & conversations= that are pleasing to the LORD.

I have come to a place where understanding 'pure love casts out all fear' being love & trust in GOD. Hope this helps.

Like I mentioned in the other response. Everyone is so kind and gentle here. You see I hardly have any friends nor even brothers that I regularly keep in touch. I go to church but can feel disconnected at times because I'm always the one trying to imitate more discourse, more importance in building us up etc but maybe I am alone in this but it's fine. Jesus said this life wasn't going to be easy. For those who find this life very unpleasant like myself and the treasures of this life unpleasing I've been a target especially in the household. Jesus said man's enemy would be his household. I pray for my wife everyday and my two kids that God will save them. I tell my wife the peace that Jesus Christ gives is like no other but I can't force them. I love them and it's so hard. One of the main points is Time. All they want is my time and yet it's so hard because the time they need is consisting of movies, football, etc and I just always go back to scripture. Even when I do it I only do it for a bit because it just doesn't sit right with me. But as I'm learning and doing a study on his grace I understand that it does abound more and more and to have the fruits of the spirit is one of the key things to have. Like Andrew Murray said once we go to Christ and come to him making him our master the Holy Spirit will pour out more and more (paraphrasing) but something like that's I continue to ask for your prayers and guidance. There's so much to learn but I know he's called me for a purpose and I'm willing to lose everyone and everything and there's one of the major concerns in this family. I always think about him. I've never had this feeling. If I don't pray sing or even think of him I am terribly saddened. Please pray the by Gods mercy and grace his Holy Spirit be made manifest and they get convicted before it's to late. Have a blessed day

Oh Arnold , this is such a hard part of Christian life . Someone needs to write a manual on this : how to love none Christians without going crazy . It's a life long struggle . Here's how I try to do it : know when to say nothing , don't judge , be patient and kind to everyone , don't expect to be able to change people , make time to be alone with God every day , don't be too hard on yourself ,God knows your circumstances , keep a sense of humour , tell the truth about your faith to everyone who asks you about it . Patience is the key for me , it's not something that comes naturally to me so it's hard work .I comfort myself with the hope that Christ will return soon , I believe that when Christ returns , all flesh will have one last chance to accept him as their Saviour and I hope and pray that my atheist loved ones will still be alive and that they will accept him , I won't say to them 'I told you so ' though I'm sure I will be very tempted to do so . You are still human , still living in this world and still part of a family , keep the truth in your heart all day every day and talk about it when you get the chance but pick your moments , timing is crucial , you have to respect some one who tells you that they don't want to know about it . If you have a bad day , come on here and talk to us . Never forget to whom you belong and what price has been paid for your redemption .

You know something. I never knew what God was going to do in my life and for what purpose I had until I sought him out more continuously. And although my family, friends and people I work with seem to be always on the fence when I'm around it brings comfort to my heart knowing I am a child of the most high. I need a lot of prayers but the church I am attending right now I may not be attending anymore due to things that have happened that I've seen and I feel the Lord is leading me elsewhere. Again I need to pray about that. I ask the Lord to lead me to a church that's on fire for God and that wants to do more like I want to. There's so much I want to do but I have found in working two jobs I get to speak to the public about my savior. I don't get responses all the time but I still try to plant the seed which is important. I love my wife and I want to see her change but the only one that can do that is Christ but I also need to show reverence to her even though I may not agree with what she does or what she watches. If I take anything from Christ is this. Love and Patience. Taking back from the OT God has so much patience with the Israelites. Our God is a patient God and a loving God. I don't want to divorce just because we don't see eye to eye I love her and I love God and I don't want to be in disobedience or sin. I ask for your continued prayers

Have you considered the possibility that you are exactly where you should be and with who you should be according to the will of God ? We have a very limited view , God knows all things and if He hasn't already put you where He wants you to be , you can be sure that He will do so . Stay strong and please check in with us on here to let us know how you are doing . May God bless you and all yours .

Good Evening,

As I am learning with my conversations with him everyday I keep thinking of him and singing to him but I have a recurring dream and it keeps going. I believe that he's working in me a fire that's deep in my heart that even the forces of Hell will not overcome but that doesn't mean I'm immune that's why he gave us the sword of the spirit. I do believe that my wife was given to me based on his will for my life and it's my duty to honor him and if I do that I honor my wife as well. I think of him 24:7 some people look at me and ask who I'm talking to lol I say God ! Boldly. I will keep y'all updated as I am still kinda new here but I believe I have brothers and sisters like y'all that love me and encourage me to be a strong Christian soldier. I can't speak to random people never have I but he's done something in me that I have to say something anything. I just continue to ask for prayers but that he give me boldness to speak and to be brave

Good evening

I Would like to say thank you. Everyone is so kind when I ask a question or even post something that is dear to my heart. The family of God is like no other and I'm assuming that's why Satan wants to attack us the most because we are strong with the Lord. Your words gave me tears and although I don't know where he will take me I explained to my better half after being in an argument that I was willing to lose everything and everyone for Jesus. I've been convicted in so much that I really truly honestly believe he called me for a purpose. It's hard to explain but I just strongly feel like this. I think about the Lord from morning until I go to bed. I talk to him. I pray to him. I sing to him. It's a loving relationship like no other and just pray I am in complete obedience. It's hard living in a dark world full of dishonesty, anger, malice, and sadness but as I'm uncovering 2Corinthians12:9 means so much in that sense his grace is the only thing that should be sufficient. If Jesus could sit with sinners and just smile and be humble why can't I ? I ask the Lord make me to be like you. I want to love like you do. I want to talk like you did etc etc. I really appreciate you taking the time to reach out it means a lot. I hope when we meet again we can rejoice and tell each other how we overcame it. God be with you always

Come back often. We are always happy to see our regular brothers and sisters. We grow together and sometimes it's a lesson in becoming more like Christ.

Will definitely do so

Dear Arnold , you break my heart with your post , please don't despair . I am in regular contact with atheists I love and it helps me to think of it this way : as long as they are alive then they are potential Christians and I must treat them as such . I'm sure I don't have to tell you what that means as you know that Christ is our example . Also it helps me to remember who I was before I knew the Truth , weak fearfull insecure defensive , it's a long list ! Remember who you were and how you felt before you knew the Truth ? Well that's how every atheist still feels right now . They wouldn't admit it to you and maybe even not to themselves but that's how they feel , terrified of death and a million other things just like I used to be and probably also you . For this reason , if for no other , we must show pity and compassion and kindness to all atheists , we were one once so we know how they feel and it's not nice . It's a balancing act , if you lecture too much and don't engage with them in their world they may pull away from you completely . I've seen that happen and it's very sad for every one . Try to find someone at your church that you trust and feel comfortable with , preferably of the same gender . If you look and listen to them all carefully you will be able to spot someone who would appreciate your friendship I'm sure . A sneaky trick would be to develope a hobby which takes you away from your family occasionally , when really you are just spending time alone with your Heavenly Father , maybe a man in your church goes fishing ? Maybe you could go with him ? The possibilities are there if you look closely and stay calm and trust in God . He will light your path , wait for the answer . Much love in Christ .